SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT, YEAR C

Genesis 15:5-12.17-18

Psalm 26

Philippians 3:17—4:1

Luke 9:28-36

OUR WAY TO OUR TRANSFIGURATION

Usually, the story of the transfiguration is proclaimed on the second Sunday of Lent. Situating this event in its context may be enlightening. It was preceded by two events. First, the exiting moment of Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Christ. Second, the shocking prediction of Jesus’ sufferings, death and resurrection. Then comes the wonderful experience of the Transfiguration: “Rabbi, It is wonderful for us to be here…” said Peter (Luke 9:28-36). 

Thus, the transfiguration was to boost the faith of the disciples and teach them that after his suffering and death, glory will be his. On this journey of life, sufferings and crosses are inevitable. In spite of the awful moments we may have to experience, the crosses we may have to bear, the pains and difficulties we may have to go through, the trying moments we may have to live, one thing is sure: God is leading us to glory. Hence St Paul tells us our mortal bodies will be transformed, transfigured into copies of Jesus’ glorified body. For we are pilgrims on this earth. Our homeland is in heaven (Phil 3:17—4:1). So, the gospel of the  cross must be preached in today's world where some Christians preach only the prosperity gospel.

Thus, like Abraham, we are heading towards our promised land. By faith and on account of his trust in God’s promises, he left his father’s house and headed to a land he did not know. Thus, God makes a covenant with him to assure him of his unfailing presence and his faithfulness that never ends (Gen 15:5-12.17-18). We too must move onwards despite the crosses we have to bear, for no cross, no crown. May the lord help us to bear our crosses and never give up so that we may share in his glory and joy. Amen 

1ST SUNDAY OF LENT, YEAR C

Deuteronomy 26:4-10
Ps 90:1-2.10-12
Romans 10:8-13
Luke 4:1-13

TEMPTED, YET NOT DEFILED

Lent is here again! Lent is a period to deepen our relationship with God through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. It is a time to reflect on and renew ourselves, a time to start afresh, to return to the Lord. It is a time of penance and conversion. Traditionally, the gospel of the first Sunday of Lent speaks of the temptation of Jesus (Luke 4:1-13). This is to tell us that there are many temptations that await us during this season of grace. But just as Jesus resisted the devil, we too should not give in to the solicitations of the devil.

Today’s first reading presents the creed of the Jews. This profession of faith is a kind of anamnesis, a remembering of their history from the patriarchs to their establishment on the Promised Land. And this profession of their faith was made during the offering of the first-fruits to the Lord so as to acknowledge and give thanks to him for his wondrous deeds (Deut. 26:4-10). For St Paul, to believe and profess that God raised the Lord Jesus up from the dead brings justification and salvation. Thus, anyone who proclaims Jesus as Lord and calls on his name will not be put to shame, but shall be saved (Rom. 10:8-13).

The story of Jesus’ temptation has much to teach us. First, no one can escape temptation. Temptation is everywhere and has no respect for status or position. Second, the devil tempts us on our weakest point and can easily seduce us to fall into his traps. The desire for food, pleasure, power and fame are common human attractions.

Third, to be able to resist the temptation, we must counter him firmly with the Word of God. Lastly, when we are tempted, we have a choice to make, depending on whether we know our identity and mission as Christians or not. Jesus was able to withstand the devil because he knew his identity and mission. May he help us to resist temptations that may come our way especially during this season of grace.
 Amen

EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

Ecclesiasticus 27 :4-7
Psalm 91:2-3.13-16
1Corinthians 15:54-58
Luke 6:39-45

THE LOG IN MY EYE

Last Sunday before the season of Lent, today’s readings invite us to look into our hearts, check what we have stored therein, and fill them with good thoughts and thanksgiving. In the gospel, St Luke reports three short parables of Jesus, namely that of a blind man leading another blind man, that of the speck and the log in the eye, and that of the tree that is recognized through its fruits (Luke 6:39-45).

The first reading is a good illustration of the third parable. According to Ben Sirach, man’s words reveal his personality. Thus, we should not praise or judge a person without listening to him in the first place.

The second parable is not without importance. In effect, we like zooming into the weaknesses, mistakes, sins and shortcomings of others without acknowledging ours. We gossip about others. We expose their nakedness. We put blame on others. We judge and condemn them. We are quick to pronounce sentence on them. In short, we notice the speck in others’ eyes, and do not notice that we have a log in ours. As a result we usually try to take the speck out of another’s eye. We want to correct others. We want to change others.

We are simply hypocrites. We should take the log out of our own eye first. Then we will see clear so as to help the other with his speck. We should change ourselves first. This demands self-discipline and self mastery. We need courage and endurance, and never give up working on ourselves. Thus, after he has ended his exposé on the resurrection, St Paul exhorts us saying: “Never give in then, my dear brethren, never admit defeat; keep on working at the Lord’s work always, knowing that, in the Lord, you cannot be laboring in vain”. May the Lord help us identify our own shortcomings, mistakes and work on them. 

Amen.

6TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

Jeremiah 17:5-8
Psalm 1.1-4.6
1Corinthians 15:12.16-20
Luke 6:17.20-26

THE WAY TO TRUE HAPPINESS

Everybody wants to be happy and prosperous. But the way you chose to get there may bring you blessedness and peace, or it may lead you to woe and curse. Curse and blessing, happiness and sadness, death and resurrection, blessedness and woes: behold the two ways laid before us in today’s readings. 

In effect, he who puts his trust in men and in created things avails himself to curse, sadness and woes. He is like a dried leaf tossed about by any kind of wind. On the other hand, the man who puts his trust in the Lord is blessed and joyful. He is like a tree planted near the river. He has no fear of anything. He bears fruits in season and out of season. Nothings can rob his inner peace and interior joy. If therefore we trust in the crucified and risen Christ, blessed are we.

As such, those who are materially poor, the sad, the hungry and persecuted because of Christ are blessed and therefore should rejoice, says Jesus in the Gospel. For God is their consolation, in contrast to those who put their trust and consolation in their material possessions.

Like Moses who set before the people of Israel life and prosperity, death and adversity, and exhorted them to choose life (Deut. 30:15-20), I challenge you to trust in the Lord. Walk in his ways. Obey his Word. And you will be blessed, happy and fruitful all the days of your life, no matter the storms, challenges, and problems you may face. May the Holy Spirit help us trust God at all times so that we may inherit eternal life. Amen